Latest News

24 May 2018

After a consultation late last year, which elicited more than 2,000 responses and which we responded to, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has now laid down his final plans aimed at tackling the capital's housing crisis.
Read More...

22 May 2018

21 May 2018

Tech experts say London is the leading city in Europe when it comes to the usage of technology in the built environment, according to research from Osborne Clarke.
Read More...

Rent Smart Wales prosecutes first agent

Wednesday 22 November 2017

Rent Smart Wales enforcement activity is gathering momentum as the one year anniversary of the registration deadline approaches.

Two more successful prosecutions have been heard at Cardiff Magistrates Court, including the first commercial agent in Wales to be found guilty of managing properties without a licence.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said:

"It's almost one year on since the November 23 deadline for all landlords with properties in Wales to become registered and yet there are landlords and agents still out there who believe they can operate outside of the law.

"We are taking action and we will find out about those individuals who are not complying. As well as court action and potentially a large fine, landlords and agents could face rent penalties and restriction on re-possession of their property as a result of non-compliance.

"There is no excuse for a commercial agent not to be registered and licensed. I urge any landlords who use a commercial agent to check they are Rent Smart Wales compliant to ensure they are carrying out management duties legally."

She was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice in June this year but she failed to pay, submit a licence application or register the properties despite further reminders.

Cardiff Magistrates fined Mrs Phillips £4,600 for three offences under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, ordered her to pay court costs of £671 and a £170 victim surcharge.

Self-managing landlord Damian Cross of Rhodfa'r Gwagenni, Barry was also found guilty of failing to become licensed for letting and management activities for a property at Beaconsfield, Romilly Road, Barry.

Mr Cross had registered the property but not applied for a licence. He failed to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice for his non-compliance, or submit a licence application or appoint an agent.

He was fined £660 for two offences under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, and ordered to pay court costs of £543 and a £33 victim surcharge.

Latest News

24 May 2018

After a consultation late last year, which elicited more than 2,000 responses and which we responded to, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has now laid down his final plans aimed at tackling the capital's housing crisis.
Read More...